Name: Joanna
Child's Name and Age: Jasper, 5 and Wyatt, 3
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Category: Toys
Items used for the project and favorite part of the storage solution:
Two star-shaped, marbleized cardboard hat boxes, one wooden Shaker grain bin, electrical/duct tape. We troll stoop sales in our neighborhood (the Brooklyn equivalent of a garage sale!) and thrift stores in ritzy areas for antique containers that we can use for toy storage. Our apartment has a lot of old-timey character built-in, so we look for alternatives to the usual plastic bin kid storage solutions.

If something has visual appeal, but lacks the sturdiness necessary to withstand daily use, we reinforce the interior of the container with duct tape. To keep our boys occupied, we love having toys in every room, even the kitchen, as long as we don't have to look at them all the time.

Best storage tip for families with children:
Remember that toy storage units become toys themselves -- they will be climbed upon, rolled around, and generally abused. Make sure they are strong! Also, storage that is easily portable is best, so it can follow the mess.

Thanks for entering, Joanna!